I (really) enjoy reading and I like sharing good resources with others. To help you know if any of these recommendations might be for you, I will try to provide answers to three questions: what is the resource about, why is it important, and what should I do about this? — Dr. Christian Klaue
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Enhancing Professional Practice - Charlotte Danielson, Jim S. Furman, Lee Kappes
What is this resource about? This is the third edition of Danielson’s framework for teaching. This is an evaluation tool to assess how teachers are doing. There are four popular assessment tools: Danielson, Marzano, Beerens, and IOTA, but this is my favourite tool. It is (relatively) easy to use and requires around 6 hours per teacher to complete. The Marzano version adds a really helpful detail — different expectations for teacher experience levels: 0-2; 3-8; 9+ (I might be a bit off on the distribution, but this is the rough idea). Beerens uses the Danielson model and IOTA, while somewhat helpful, takes far too long for an assessment. The 3rd edition simplifies certain categories and makes it easier to use for a principal.
Why is it important? Teacher evaluation is needed, but having a good tool makes it easier and more helpful. The Danielson model is a good model to use, and the 3rd edition makes it even more helpful.
What should I do? Look at the category descriptions and then create a format where the descriptions can be used as the principal fills out the form and the teacher responds with some self-assessment components. This is not a book that one sits down to read in one setting; it is a book that is used to create a helpful tool.
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Undivided - Dr. Martha E. MacCullough
What is this resource about? This is a revised version of a textbook MacCullough wrote to help teachers develop a biblical worldview for all school subjects. The first part of the book is a description of some of the main worldviews. The second part is the practical application of a biblical worldview to all school subject areas. One of the key new components of this edition are the appendices where she describes the cognitive interactive teaching model. This is, in her mind, the most logical and biblically sound teaching model teachers should be using.
Why is it important? Not many Christians have developed a comprehensive biblical worldview as it is not something that is developed in churches or taught at home. One of the only places people really learn what a biblical worldview is is when they attend a Christian school. This is a great toll to help teachers not only develop their own biblical worldview but to help teachers learn how to pass it on to their students.
What should I do? This is a great book to take home over the summer. Each chapter has a variety of activities. Read it and work through the activities at the end of each chapter and then write out your biblical worldview at the end of the book.
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Boys Should Be Boys - Meg Meeker
What is this resource about? Meeker, a medical doctor, describes not only how boys and girls are different, but how to parent boys and honour how God made them. It sounds like Meeker is a Christian, but this book is written for a secular audience, so the Christian component is not stressed. She uses many examples from her practice and provides strategies designed to raise physically and emotionally healthy boys.
Why is it important? Society is still denigrating boys. Meeker addresses how that harms society and provides realistic and reasonable strategies to help boys develop in a way that honours God.
What should I do? This is a book that should be read cover to cover, by both parents, and then deciding together what areas to focus on. Developing a game plan is a wise strategy for parents with sons of any age.
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Fleeing ISIS, Finding Jesus - Charles Morris, Craig Borlase
Who is this resource about? This is a collection of stories told to the editor about individuals who were attacked or persecuted by ISIS and how they found safety in Jesus. For many of these individuals, even how they came to Christ was a miracle, much less the experiences they had as a Christian.
How can I pray? There are many believers being persecuted, particularly in Muslim dominated countries. Pray that they would continue to be a testimony of God’s power and the saving grace of the shed blood of Jesus.